Thursday, December 27, 2007

For the very first time... Mikaela was blowing kisses to him and he was giggling his head off.

We were in the car on the way home after visiting my cousins.

Christmas at ours was lovely, much better than I anticipated with my mother and father meeting up after not seeing each other in 15 years... all went well. We had both Nath and my clans here and it was a great lunch.

Flying out to Palm Cove in the am, getting up at 4. Looking forward to some relaxation on the beach and poolside.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Things with Mikaela are on the improve. She has been spending time with friends that love her and make her feel good. Thursday night we were out to dinner with friends, their daughter and Mikaela adore each other, so it was a great night. Yesterday (LAST day of school for the year, 7 weeks of togetherness, yah :))... we went to the local pool and she had a ball with another friend... so all is goooood here.Or improving :)

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

I think Christmas gifts are getting easier and easier, or maybe its just me (I used to make lavendar bath bombs for my girl pals, now not so much :() just dont have the time.

So this year Mikaela made** some noodle boxes filled with lollies for her class mates and friends. We had a great time putting the gifts together. ** we didnt actually MAKE the noodle boxes, they were premade. Cheap as chips too, like $4 for 5 of them or something like that. Basically with the boxes and the lollies the gifts worked out to be less than $1 each. JOY :)

Mikaela also made cards. We acually made the cards back on the 2nd, Mikaela was really good at stamping and writing the message on about 20 cards. The whole production line set up went pretty well. There were a number of steps, 1. stamp top front, 2. stamp Merry Christmas 3 times, 3. ink the edge of front, 4. write message inside of card, and 5. stamp 5 times inside of card. We got out of sync a few times, but all in all it was smooth sailing and Mikaela was really happy and excited to be making gifts for others. Happy ME. Happy Mikaela... and I am pretty sure today there will be lots of happy kidlets too.

Nath is seriously counting down the days, TWO more days and he is home with us full time for about 2 weeks JOY JOY JOY.

Oh and we just got her teachers a bottle of red. Lazy but useful, no? LOL

Saturday, December 15, 2007

These layouts were also VERY inspired by Ayo and her beautiful music! The quotes are lyrics from her debut album.

Josh may also be Mikaela's muse... she was inspired to create this recently. Its the title page of a mini-book she is creating. She is obsessed with writting "chapter" books (as she calls them). I have quite a collection of them... they are so sweet.Anne Marie, thanks for your questions in my previous post :) And thanks to all of you who emailed me too :) So here are the answers to your questions Anne Marie:

(a)I love the look of using white pens for journaling and hand-drawing doodles, but I'm having trouble finding a white pen that won't quit on me the 2nd time I use it! What brand do you use? I use Uni-ball Signo, they are my favourite by far. I also use a Bic Correction Pen, Wite Out too... idea from classes I have taken with both Em and Celine.

(b)I've just applied for my first Design Team. I know there's amazing talent out there and my chances are so slim ... but I'd like to keep trying. Any advice? Just keep applying, submit EVERYTHING. Even the layouts of yours that *YOU* dont particularly like, someone else will LOVE. We are our own worst critics. Mainly just ignore the rejections and keep going :)

(c)What are your "can't live without" scrapbooking embellishments? Ehmmm, good question! Is paint an "embellishment"??? WeeeeeL I would have to say chipboard, letters, shapes. Also prima flowers (LOVE THEM) and buttons. I go though phases, like everyone I suppose. My style is just like me, ever changing and evolving.For your questions Anne-Marie I am sending you a RAK (you have inspired me to another purge of my scrap room)... email me your addy :)

I hope you are enjoying the last few days before Christmas. I ***LOVE*** this time of year, its just gorgeous. The sun, the warmth, the anticipation and excitement mounting in Mikaela...

We've done all our shopping, well Nath is out now getting my gifts, but other than that we are DONE :)

Thursday, December 13, 2007

according to Napoleon Bonaparte and my "Art Quote of the day" some time ago... over that-a-way -------->

Therefore I am handing it over to **you** my dear reader... ASK ME ANY QUESTION YOU LIKE and I will answer soon...

Or if you dont want to ask a question, let me know what you want to see more of on my blog.

I have not been blogging as much as I like because I dont think reading about changing nappies, or bouts of mastitis are particularly interesting LOL! I want my blogging mojo back... and I need your help loves!

Go on, dont be shy.

Brought to you by: Finally-giving-in-to-brain-clearly-not-functioning-at-optimum-levels-for-interesting-posting! and cool-with-that!!Bx

Monday, December 10, 2007

For some *grin* ... Joshua is such a cool babe... so happy and content. Last night he slept from 1am to 6am... a first! Whooot whoo! Lately Josh has been doing a LOT of squealing and "going off" with the hands and feet discovery.

There are another seven layouts and an OTP (off the page) to take a look at here.

A favourite poem of mine I share with you today. I got this from a family friend and put it up in my bathroom (where else??) when Mikaela was a baby. These words got me through LOTs of hard times let me tell you :)

“As you think, you travel; and as you love you attract.You are today where your thoughts have brought you;You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.You cannot escape the result of your thoughts,but you can endure and learn…You will realize the vision (not the idlewish) of your heart, be it base or beautiful…for you will always gravitate towards that which you, secretly, most love.Whatever your present environment may be, you will fall, remain or rise with your thoughts, your vision, your ideal. You will become as small as your controlling desire;as great as your dominant aspiration.”

Thursday, December 06, 2007

This was a class project I finished this week with Mikaela's class.So cute.They loved it.All of them were so excited. Basically I (along with a lot of help from Nath the night before... thanks hun) prepared most of the project before hand. Therefore the children just had to do the designs on the alfoil. I did the Indian Ink part for them and then they put it all together, with help from their teacher, Heather. It was a hoot. They were such fun, I had a ball. Little cuties they were, so eager and happy. My kinda morning :) Josh was awake when we arrived, then just put himself to sleep and slept the entire time :)

I got quite a few strange looks as I had indian ink all over my hands for the rest of the day (actually I just realised, I STILL do)... and it was SO worth it :)

I only have Mikaela's ornament to share due to privacy... but seriously some of the kids were SUCH artists!! Well they are ALL artists... but some of them had serious talent.

This little project is totally inspired by Celine, who came to visit and did a "Show and Tell" with them a few weeks back. I'd promised Mikaela's teacher, Heather, MONTHS ago that I would do some arts and crafts with them... who says 2 weeks from end of year is too late?? LOL !

Next year I am going to try a "Term Project"... I can't wait!

My 2008 new years resolution... to make it Christmas "time" all throughout the year :)Love out...Bx

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Now that it is HUMP DAY (already???) I can go over the past weekend... Friday night my sister Meeges arrived with her girlfriend Jayne to spend the weekend. Jayne made some fantastic pesto and I chewed their ears off until I reluctantly went to bed ALONE (groan). Nath was in Sydney for an annual work networking function... racing cars!! and staying at Star Casino overnight.

First up... Saturday early morning I had a radio interview with ABC 666... all about creating and recycling for christmas. NERVOUS was I !!! I have never done a LIVE radio interview before (I have NEVER done ANY kinda radio interview before LOL) and it was nerve racking! If I can post the audio here I will, it is rather funny. No photos... but go here to see the instruction sheets I created (links at the bottom of the page).

THEN we had Mikaela's ballet concert at the local Street Theatre, it was so great. Mikaela was really good, tho she did wave to me, which I am sure she is not allowed to do... it was very cute. I did her "stage" make-up just slightly TOO MUCH, but she didnt notice or realise, so thats good.

A quick stop home before we going to see Nath play his social basketball grand final. They lost, which was disapointing because up until about half way through the second quarter they actually had a reasonable lead. Nath played really well and I got heaps of photos. I am so proud of him.

Rush home to greet our guests as we had a house full of people to cook for. In celebration of Lee's 32nd... we had Katie, Lee, Jodes, Jake and Kim come over to celebrate. We ate very late (especially for us as we normally eat at 6-630ish) it was around 930 before we got to eat, but thankfully in bed by midnight.

Sunday breaky with Meeges and Jayne before they took off back to Sydney... relaxing and papers before Nath took Mikaela to horseriding. Kim came over for a few hours, we took some chrissy photos of Josh.

Nath looked after Josh while Kim, Kaela and I did some shopping at Woden. THEN Nath and Mikaela rode their bikes, while I walked Josh in his pram, to our local park for a picnic dinner. A storm was brewing and we saw the MOST incredible rainbow,or a double one, tho the main one was so amazing. It was the most spectacular sight. Gave me chills. I dont have any decent photos because I had my macro lens on.

From my friend Lana.She is passionate.And talented.And very successful.

Lana was exactly what I required today.

A couple of other “things” I required today:

Walking my girl to school:

Having some down time with my girl and boy:

Spending some quality time with Kim.

I have had a couple of very reflective days… I get blue sometimes with situations.Not necessarily my situations, but my friends.I am at a loss as to what the “right” words are; what the healing and comforting words are…It hurts to see my friends upset.This week, it wasn’t just one… but 4 friends that came to me with sad news.Which made me sad too.

We all have our own journey’s to live and we only get one life.Let us just try to live it to the best of our ability, and our individuality!I know my friends are on the path they need to be... and that even though it does not always seem that way at the time, everything happens for a reason.

"We are today were our thoughts brought us, and we will be tomorrow where our thoughts take us"

Sunday, November 25, 2007

... asides from being Nath's bestfriends since they were about 4years old... he makes me laugh until I cry. He is a funny bastard!Recently I got this recipe chain mail, basic gist of it is that you pass it on and you get all these recipes back, like 36 or something like that. The ONLY one I got back was this one from Tom, and frankly... it is worth 336, its brilliant - made me laugh SO MUCH. Here is his reply:

Recipes. You’ve come to the right bloke.

You know those times (they happen so often) when you’ve popped out for a quick visit to the country…

The dirt’s red, the roads rough, the road kill is chassis destroying and you realise you haven’t had breakfast.

Don’t stress.

A quick snack can usually be found on your front grill. Particularly in the early afternoon when the sun has heated the metal and cooked the blowies, dragon flies and bees up nice and crunchy. Great meal and that’s why you’ll always find a small plastic plate, a roll of toilet paper and some tomato sauce in my glove box.

Another nourishing dish can be found at the nearest ant nest. Simply pick the little blighters up by their front end and lick their back end. In Queensland, the green tree ant has a strong citrus flavour. In other states, they just taste like ant… but you are still licking an ant’s bum. And isn’t that what a quick snack is all about.

In those instances that you find yourself hungry, but without a car grill or an ant’s nest, simply stand up straight, face west and poke out your tongue. Its common knowledge that prevailing winds scour the nutrient rich top soil from our country, and carry it off to New Zealand. If you stand in the path of these winds with your tongue out, you achieve two things. You’re getting a nutrient rich meal and you’re also stopping any more of our stuff being pinch by the Kiwis (how dare they try to claim ownership of Crowded House and Russell Crowe.) If it’s not a windy day or you find yourself on the coast of Western Australia you’ll need to work a little harder for you meal. You’ll need to get on all fours and lick the ground. Be sure to only lick the nutrient rich parts.

For more tips on how to survive in the bush, feel free to give me an “oi.”

I had TEARS... he is SERIOUSLY funnnnneeeeee!

Tom IS actually a big fan of game food, as am I from time to time... so we're all off to enjoy some at a local resturant for lunch today.

Tom is visiting us from Adelaide this weekend to meet his GodSon, and his GodWife... I mean the GodMother... and sort out dates and details for the Naming Ceremony.

Asides from being funny... he is an all round great guy and a beautiful soul. We are so happy he is going to be Joshua's spiritual guide :)

Friday, November 23, 2007

... being able to finally share some exciting news with you :)The reason I have not been posting much of my scrapping stuff of late is because... most of it is awaiting publication in a few magazines(squeal) or is being done for design teams.Exquisite Scrapping have given me the wonderful opportunity as a permanent design team member. I cant wait to work with Jo and the team :-)

I also have two guest DT postions: one with Keep'the Memories (which may lead to a permanet position) and another with Scrappers Warehouse. Go to Aussie Pub Calls to find out all the latest with the Australian scrapping industry. This site has links to all sorts of competitions, design team calls (including digital) and also the major magazine submission requests. Go for it girls!! It took me seven YEARS to finally get the courage to do so myself and within 3 months of my first application... well lets just say 2008 is gonna be a busy one LOL!

I leave you with this poem which I have written on the inside of my treasure chest (scrapbooking supplies cupboard LOL)...

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Just a couple of Emily's challenges to post :) So behind!!#42, Grateful Week...Grateful for so many little things: Nath being patient with me while I scrapped till midnight to meet a deadline (knowing I would be super cranky in the morning), doing readers with Mikaela and her class mates, walking Kaela to school, getting Ali's book, family movie night... you know all the little things make me very grateful :)

#43, Scary...It is SO SO SO scary how quickly Josh is growing... and the scull and bones tshirt is OH so VERY scary (scary CUTE!).

#44, Home...My home is with these three, my heart belongs to them. Such is life!

#45, Self Realisation...It struck me so hard one day early in 2005... I had been working a LONG time to get there... Here, I suddenly realised that my ENTIRE life was my choice... I decided how to spend my days, my attitude... EVERYTHING. It sounds so simple, I know. Even obvious but it took me a long time to understand this at a very deep (soul) level. So glad I did because my life has been a dream since!

#46, Rejuvenation...I LOVE to get a massage to rejuvenate, unfortunately I only manage one or two a year {TOO much spending on scrapping supplies!} Mostly I just have a Loooooonnnnggg soak in the bath ALONE (no kids) or a pedicure :)

So there you have them.. and for a couple of days... I am up-to-date!I LOVE Em's challenges, love her art, her concept... her heart and down-right Aussie self! All good is the Ems!

Oh "Hiya Rossco, yes *YOU* I know you are reading this :)... we'll see you in January and March, so set aside some time for us {and your "great god son"...is there such a thing?} I am sure there is!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Even though I know I am fortunate that she spends most of her time with us, I still miss her on Saturday mornings as she spends Friday night each week with her Dad. Mikaela is such a sweet child and so very good with her little brother, totally doting and SO SO inlove. It is a beautiful thing to see. Sometimes she is a little TOO enthusiastic, but for the most part she is a delight.

Josh giggles and coos at her, and they are the sweetest to watch.

Mikaela USED to call me at 6am on a Saturday morning:Mikaela: What are you doing?Me: Sleeping (said smiling, because although she has called at a very early hour, I have only just given Josh his morning feed... and I think she is cute)Mikaela: What is Josh doing?Me: Sleeping beside me (only just moved into bed beside us, which we do sometimes at the EARLY morning feed, anywhere from 5-6 am)Mikaela: Oh... okay, bye then!*************************The first time after Josh was born, I think she called around 4 times in two hours!

We always speak on Friday afternoons when she finishes school, tho she doesnt call me at 6am on Saturdays anymore. Some Saturdays she doesnt call at all until just before I collect her in the late afternoon. I guess that is a good thing, she is enjoying her time with Dad. Plus she has ballet class AND ballet rehersals, so she is busy.

And even tho its only one night, I still miss her and I think Josh does too.Bx

Friday, November 16, 2007

We went to see this movie last night as I got free tickets and Kim (GodMother Extraordinaire) babysat for us.September, I really recommend this movie... it is so beautiful, the cinematography, the relationships, the heart and soul of the movie struck me and I loved it. Spectacular!

I want to say a HUGE BIG heartfelt congratulations to an amazing person I know, she is family I have chosen in this life... the aforementioned GodMother Kim began her teaching career yesterday, or a new chapter of it *smile*. Kim worked her first day as a teacher’s aid at Turner Primary, specifically she worked with the special needs children... and from what she tells me - it was challenging and rewarding. I think she was AMAZING - our children, our education system can only but benefit tremendously and strive with Kim as their teacher. She makes such a positive impact in children’s (and adults) lives. She is mother earth. Kim will touch many in her life and even more now in teaching career. I have always respected and admired Kim’s ability to connect with Mikaela (and her love for Joshua is grand scale HUGE). Kim does what many don’t bother to do, she intentionally takes (and makes) time for OTHER peoples children as well as her own. Not many people do that, not many people even consider it… and that is why I she is my family, even my sisters consider her family according to their FaceBook profiles *grin*. Kim is a unique and gifted healer, nurturer, listener and teacher… that is for sure. Good luck my dear friend, tho I know you won’t need it :) I am SO SUPER PROUD of **You** my shinning star friend!! I love you much!

My thoughts are also with another darling friend of mine Jodes... who is in South Australia for her Grandfathers funeral. Its a very sad time for her and I know he meant the world to her. My thoughts, prayers and love are with you during this time Jodes xoxox

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Life is so busy! Now that I have finished another major design project (not yet made public, will share when I can *smile*)... I am taking time to SLOW down before my next series of deadlines comes along, before Christmas mania (LOL!!) ... taking time to B.R.E.A.T.H.E and relax...

Slow living isnt about doing everything at a snails pace;its about giving weight, time and urgency to those things that require it and relinquishing those things that just cause anxiety.

I love this quote! It is on my dreamboard I created 17 September 2006... and is hung above my desk for me to take in regularly.What I love about life... is that we CHOOSE, it is a CHOICE how busy we are, or how much time we take for ourselves... for our family, our life. To walk in the grass, to pick flowers... to enjoy this life we create. THAT is such a powerful amazing thing.

I *LOVE* being busy... LOVE it! I love challenges that inspire me. What I don't love is when I get CRAZY busy and it impacts on my mood, my family, my relationships... when I become that "WHOA is ME.. I am SO BUSY!!! " person - I hate being that person! A martar, a person incapable of saying no, of taking charge of their life. I can feel myself roll my eyes into the back of my head when I begin on this treadmill. LMAO! Thankfully I snap out of it pronto.

Whereas some people just live there constantly... we live in a society where expectations of how much we "achieve" depends on how long our "to-do" list is... as opposed to how HAPPY we are WITHIN. Isnt that the REAL achievement of life? I think so and that's what I'm about, what is most important to me.

Perhaps that is because I have always been a "glass is half full" person, always... I have found that with a positive attitude and time to mediate and reflect... we can slow down quite easily. Your to do list may be just as long as anyone elses... but you take JOY in your list... in your life. If your "to-do" list is WAY TOO long - simplify - cull it, or accept it and take joy in doing the things you choose as important. SIMPLE. There it is again, SIMPLICITY and CHOICE... in attitude and action. Life rushes by so very quickly... we owe it to ourselves to live it well... in happiness of our choices. We owe it to ourselves to simplify and to live a slow life.

I think during the silly season, during the busy busy time of Christmas it is important to remind ourselves of all of this. To relax, chill out and enjoy our lives and loved ones because that is really what Chrissy is all about.

Today I choose to simplify and live slowly.Enjoy your HUMP DAY gorgeous peeps...PeaceBx

Monday, November 12, 2007

When Celine and Damien were visiting, they commented that no-one had told them how many flies there were in Australia. I explained that it is not something we talk about...kinda like childbirth and like childbirth we actually forget. For me each winter I totally forget about Summer=swarms of tiny flies everywhere. I forget. Then as summer approaches, its "ahhhhh, flies AGAIN!!" I dont know how one can forget, I just do, must be like a survivial technique or something!

So this morning, I had tonnes of them and had to giggle to myself at the thought of Celine and Damien's horror. To make up with having to swat at least 20 pesky little flies away every second... my view this morning (he is now into his stroller style carrier during the day)... And YES, they are tiny scratches on his face, self inflicted because his mother is appalling and doesnt cut his nails every two seconds. Seriously they grow SUPER fast!!

So now we are home again... listening to the best of Elton John and finishing off a couple of design projects.

Doing a little blog surfing... as always totally inspired by Ali, she is just amazing that woman! The STUFF she does. Life. Amazing how much she accomplishes, seriously! Check these out too:SuperHero - Happy Birthday!!Nicole - check out her fab mini album, LOVE it!Wanda... this post in particular I adore!Oh JOY... TOTAL eye candy as always. YUM! I REALLY have to refrain from licking my computer screen. LOL!Karen... I just love her photography, such talent... her humor is fab too!Lusi... super talented gorgeous friend of mine. Lucky ME! She is such a darling soul.Patty... just an all round beautiful person. She is gorgeous. Simple.

Friday, November 09, 2007

WOWSERS... Firstly I want to let you know about the other two DT members for Maya Memories. I am so excited to be working with these ladies... They are REALLY cool... check out their blogs Sheree and Christie.

OKAY... almost a week in review so I start with most recent and work backwards:**Mikaela got a Certificate of Merit yesterday for an Anti Bullying poster she created. So cool. She is such a great kid!

**Happy 3year anniversary to Kim and Sime... enjoy your weekend escape, especially the Kayaking and twilight horseriding... how romantic :-) xxooxx! LOVE you Kim! This woman is such a shinning star in my life!

**Yesterday I farewelled (for now) my gorgeous house guest and her man. It was SO Wonderful to spend some quality time with her and I am truly blessed to have her as a friend! She is darling, and even did "show-and-tell" for Mikaela and her class at school, which was SO adorable :) Spending time with Celine REALLY cyrstallised the power and meaning of real, true, soul connection friendships. Brilliant! I miss them already!!!!**Monday my dear friend Tass had her baby shower, which was lovely and I caught up with darling Mary, Stella and her family. I SO miss Stel, she lives about 900km from me. PLUS my super cute younger sister Leanne. They were SO dotting all over Joshua! LOVE that!**Joshua is doing great, smiling heaps like a little cutie and babbling away *smile* He has his two month vaccinations today :-( Poor little babes!** Me and my guy have our "date-night" tonight {with our darling love child in tow}... as Mikaela is at her Dads. JOY, we cant wait :-)Happy Friday peeps...PeaceBx

Designing with...

Time @ Mine...

Canberra

About Me

I like going barefoot; I LOVE coffee, Illy my favourite choice; I hate packaging; I collect SuperHero necklaces; I drink a lot of San Pelligrino and Cranberry juice; I love taking photos, scrapping and them...
Mikaela (6) and Josh (newborn)... my partner Nath.________________________
If you want to be happy, BE... Leo Tolstoy!